Traffic accident led to lupus, suit claims

Endelisa Simmons has filed suit against Lauren Sweitzer, alleging she obtained lupus after a collision.

Simmons was driving north on Troy O' Fallon Road on Sept. 30, 2006, when she was "violently" hit by the vehicle Sweitzer was driving east on Lebanon Road, according to a complaint filed Sept. 29 in St. Clair County Circuit Court.

As a result of the accident, Simmons was severely and permanently injured in her neck, back and body and was inflicted with lupus, the suit states.

Simmons claims she has been hindered from attending to her usual duties and affairs and has and will continue to lose large sums of money, which she would have otherwise earned.

Simmons suffered great physical and mental pain and anguish and has become responsible for medical costs, nursing care attention and rehabilitation services, the suit states.

Sweitzer was negligent because she failed to keep a proper lookout, failed to observe Simmons, failed to keep her vehicle under control, failed to apply her brakes, failed to decrease her speed and failed to swerve to avoid hitting Simmons, according to the complaint.

Simmons claims Sweitzer also failed to give proper warning and drove too close to Simmons.

Simmons is seeking a judgment in excess of $50,000, plus costs of the suit.